‘I would never come out as gay… I love girls too much’: George Shelley on fancying Calvin Harris and what REALLY happened with Union J
Jungle flirting, bisexual confessions and splitting from Union J – it’s been one hell of a year for George Shelley
GEORGE Shelley is posing at the same studio where he did his first ever photo shoot.
Nearly four years ago, he stood alongside his Union J band mates to be snapped for the official X Factor shots after the band made it to the
live shows in 2012.
The foursome sailed through to the semi-finals, and coming fourth in the competition didn’t stop their thirst for success – they subsequently racked up four Top 10 singles, including You Got It All, and two hit albums.
As George comically crosses his eyes for a goofy pose, it might appear on first glance that not a lot has changed.
Except that there are three people missing: Josh Cuthbert, 23, Jaymi Hensley, 26, and JJ Hamblett, 28, who formed the boy band with him.
George is very much his own man now, particularly since he appeared on I’m A Celebrity! last November and finished runner-up to Jungle Queen Vicky Pattison.
He also notched up plenty of his own headlines after forming a close bond with fellow campmate Ferne McCann, who he still considers “a close friend”.
Thanks to the high-profile reality gig and the will-they-won’t-they romance, work flooded in and he was swiftly signed up to co-present Capital FM’s breakfast show.
With his boyish charm and chatty persona, it’s easy to see why the radio station snapped him up to become the “little brother” to fellow presenters Dave Berry and Lilah Parsons.
Off-camera, he greets everyone with a hug, high-fives our photographer and shows us tons of sweet snaps on his phone.
But life hasn’t been all smiles for the 22 year old.
Not long after George confirmed his new radio gig, his band mates announced in March that they had booted him out of the line-up due to his “lack of commitment”.
George’s personal life also hit the spotlight after he released a YouTube video revealing he was bisexual.
“I want you to know that whether I decide to be with a girl… or… a guy next, it’s because I love them,” he said candidly.
Here, George comes clean about fancying Calvin Harris, making music and what really happened with Union J.
Hi, George, how does it feel to be back in this studio?
So strange. You know on The X Factor live shows when you see everyone in the wind tunnels? That was all filmed here. It’s very nostalgic. I’ve not been back since, but I instantly recognised it when I walked in. I feel like I’ve grown up a lot since then. I looked like such a baby!
Do you still speak to your Union J band mates?
I texted JJ on his birthday recently and saw Josh in the street the other day and we hugged. Jaymi is my closest friend from the band and we speak a lot. He came to Capital the other day and we went for a walk and had a little chat.
Whose decision was it to split up?
It was mutual. I had – no, we all had – other opportunities and it came to a point where we had different visions.
They slated you in an interview, though. Did you mind?
It was a difficult period and I didn’t know they were going to do that interview. We’d spent every day with each other for such a long time. Even reading it… I know the boys. I assumed they were upset, but that we’d pull through and remain friends. And we have. There was never any argument.
Have you given up music?
I would definitely go solo. I write songs all the time from personal experience. A lot of fans have reached out to me about tough things they are going through, so I’ve written a song dedicated to them. It’s my way of helping. I’ve been open about my childhood and being bullied at school. If I’m honest, they can be honest with me and we can help each other.
How did fans react to you coming out as bisexual?
They were really supportive. There’s nothing else they can know now about me, which feels really liberating.
It was a brave thing to do. Were you nervous?
I knew I’d have support and found comfort in that. Tom Daley messaged me afterwards and said he was really proud of me. Fans have told me that I gave them the courage to come out to their own friends and family, which is special. I just said: “Love who you love.”
How long had you known you weren’t straight?
I think I always knew, I just became more comfortable with it. At that point I was coming out of the band and standing on my own two feet.
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Was Ferne McCann supportive?
Yes, I love Ferne. We had a little crush on each other. I don’t think anything romantic will happen in the future, but you never know. I never close doors.
If you were to come out as gay, would you feel comfortable doing that?
I would never come out as gay. I wouldn’t put a label on it because I do like girls, I’ve fallen in love with girls and I could never close that off.
Are you single now?
Very much so! But I’m also getting towards the stage of wanting a relationship. I’ve not been on a date since I started on Capital because there’s been a lot of change, but I think things will settle down in the next couple of months.
Do you have your eye on anyone?
Yes, there’s a girl back home who has always been in my life and who I love to bits. I have written quite a few songs about her. But my life is so hectic at the moment, I wouldn’t want to rush into anything.
Do you have any celebrity crushes?
Camila Cabello from Fifth Harmony is gorgeous. Calvin Harris looks pretty good, too. His body is amazing.
How are you adjusting to your new radio job?
I’m having the best time. The 4am wake-up calls are gruelling because I used to be such a night owl, going to bed at 3am and getting up at 2pm.
I spent the first two months feeling jet-lagged but the adrenalin kept me going. I feel like I left one band and started another with Dave and Lilah.
You tried out acting in Murder In Successville. Would you like to do more?
I can’t see myself breaking Hollywood, but I’d love to be in an independent film. Right now, though, radio feels like the best job in the world.
Capital Breakfast with Dave Berry, George Shelley and Lilah Parsons, weekdays 6-10am and Saturdays 6–9am, is on Capital FM.